Electrical energy transfer assembly for a motorcycle wheel

Abstract

A rotary electrical contact device for transferring electrical energy and control signals from a stationary point on a motorcycle to a motorcycle wheel for the purposes of powering a wheel-illuminating display device mounted on a motorcycle wheel such as that device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,928, “Automatic Mechetronic Wheel Light Device”. The present device mounts inconspicuously against the hub of a motorcycle wheel, typically within the space bounded by a motorcycle wheel axel and the inner diameter of a disc brake rotor. The device allows for simultaneous electrical power transmission for multiple electrical circuits. The device comprises a combination of mechanical and electrical components and can be manufactured inexpensively using common materials. The device can be configured for all types of motorcycles types.

1 . An electrical energy transfer assembly for a wheel in combination with a motorcycle, said wheel having a hollow hub with holes and a designated provision for an axel, comprising: 
 a base plate constructed of an electrically nonconductive material;    a rotor constructed of an electrically nonconductive material;    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  further including: 
 at least one rotor ring member constructed of an electrically conductive material concentrically fixed within said rotor, and having inner and outer diameters larger than the diameter of said designated provision for an axel.    
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said wheel is a rear wheel of a motorcycle and said motorcycle includes a rear disc brake assmbly, having dimensions whereby said base plate and said rotor can be installed in the space available within the boundaries generally formed by the outer diameter of a rear axel of said motorcycle and the inner diameter of a rear brake rotor of said rear disc brake assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said wheel is a front wheel of a motorcycle and said motorcycle includes a front disc brake assembly, having dimensions whereby said base plate and said rotor can be installed in the space available within the boundaries generally formed by the outer diameter of a front axel of said motorcycle and the inner diameter of a front brake rotor of said front disc brake assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 at least one base plate ring member constructed of an electrically conductive material concentrically fixed within said base plate and having inner and outer diameters matching those of said rotor ring member.    
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 at least one electrically conductive ball bearing emplaced between said base plate and said rotor establishing electrical continuity between said base plate ring member and said rotor ring member.    
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein said electrical continuity is continuous for any given amount of angular displacement of said rotor relative to said base plate.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one means for at least one external electrical connection to said base plate.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one means for at least one external electrical connection to said rotor.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a means for preventing contamination from one of the group consisting of: liquid water, water vapor, oil, dirt, dust.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein further including at least one means for precluding a relative motion between said rotor and said wheel.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said base plate includes at least one means for transferring electrical energy to said external connection to said rotor, said means for transferring including at least one of the group consisting of: contact ring, carbon brush, roller contact, ball bearing, electrically conductive fluid.